Wednesday, October 4, 2023

October 4, 2023 - Sanary-sur-Med, France, French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea near Toulon

 After leaving Arles 2 days ago, we drove to Aix-en-Provence and spent the night.  Before we left we visited several museums including the Granet XXe Museum - Collection Jean Planque where we saw paintings by Cézanne, Monet, Van Gogh, Degas and Picasso.  We kept shaking our heads wondering if it was real.  There were so many famous painters represented that it didn't seem possible in such a small town and showing in the small chapel of the White Penitents, a 17th century refurbished church.  

We had to go through metal detectors, open our bags and were closely watched by multiple security guards, but it didn't seem enough, considering what they were protecting.  Although, I was asked by one of the security guards to step back when I got too close to several sculptures and a subdued but persistent alarm went off.  We were allowed to take pictures as long as we didn't use flashes.

Yesterday we drove to Sanary-sur-Med on the Mediterranean coast.  This morning we walked around the waterfront dock area and had a very nice lunch.  The weather is in the mid-80s and sunny.  Tomorrow we will head out probably east along the coast for awhile and then start heading north back to Heidelberg to return our car on the 16th.



Inside the Granet XXE Museum in Aix-en-Provence


Sooz in awe



Sooz in shock



Picasso


Picasso


Monet



Van Gogh



Picasso



The sculptures where I got too close and triggered an alarm



Cezanne



Cezanne



Sooz checking out the market in Aix-en-Provence



Sooz's new friend at the market where she bought a few reasonably priced things



Sooz enjoying our lunch today in Sanary-sur-Med



Waterfront in Sanary-sur-Med



There were a lot of old wooden boats in the dock, this one displaying it was built in 1926





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